Abstract: Techniques presented herein provide an improved relay user experience and improved management of scarce computing and network resources as the number of relay endpoints increases. A sourcing endpoint device may generate a media feed, such as video and/or audio feed, representing contribution from a conference participant. The sourcing endpoint device may generate a priority value for the media feed, and the priority value may be transmitted to other members of the relay along with the input feed. Priority values of the different relay participants may be used by other devices, for example, intermediate servers or receiving endpoint devices, to manage aspects of the relay. For example, a relay server may prune streams from select endpoint devices based on relative priority values received from those devices. Alternatively, receiving endpoint devices may alter presentation of received feeds based on their associated priority values.

Abstract: The subject technology provides a video conferencing application in which a live incoming or outgoing video stream can be supplemented with supplemental content, such as stickers, animations, etc., from within the video conferencing application. In this manner, a user participating in a video conferencing session with a remote user can add stickers, animations, and/or adaptive content to an outgoing video stream being captured by the device of the user, or to an incoming video stream from the device of the remote user, without having to locally cache/store a video clip before editing, and without having to leave the video conferencing session (or the video conferencing application) to access a video editing application.

Abstract: The subject technology provides a messaging application in which an image can be captured and supplemented with supplemental content such as stickers, animations, etc., from within an active messaging thread. In this manner, a user participating in a messaging conversation with a remote user can add stickers, animations, and/or adaptive content to an image captured by the user, without having to locally cache/store the captured image before editing and without having to leave the messaging conversion (or the messaging application) to access an image editing application.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to manage communication sessions to handover between a direct connection at a secondary wireless device and a relayed connection to the secondary wireless device via a primary wireless device. A connection manager of a secondary wireless device can trigger transfer of a communication session based on measurements of performance metrics for the communication session. Upon detection of performance degradation in a local connection or a backhaul connection or both, the connection manager of the secondary wireless device can determine proximity of and/or capabilities for connections of the primary wireless device and instigate transfer of the communication session between different connection types, such as between a direct connection and a relayed connection. The transfer of the communication session can occur without user intervention or in response to input from the user without interrupting or reestablishing the communication session.

Abstract: In scenes that have low lighting, it may be difficult for a personal electronic device to capture video images that meet a scene lighting criteria. In some low-lighting situations, the receiving party may be unable to sufficiently see the face of the party that they are videoconferencing with. Described herein are techniques for utilizing a device's display to illuminate the scene surrounding the device. Improved lighting may come from global display adjustments, local display adjustments that do not alter the display's contents (other than to change their brightness levels), and/or local display adjustments that alter the display's contents. In some embodiments, background elements on a device's display may be identified for brightening in a first attempt to meet the scene lighting criteria without negatively impacting foreground scene content. If such approaches are unsuccessful, the device may next replace one or more regions of displayed content with regions of brightened pixels.

Abstract: An integrated accessory control system can efficiently set up a new media streaming session with one or more accessories. A session identifier for the new session, as well as a destination address and security parameters can be generated. A data object comprising the generated elements can be written to a resource location. Additionally, a second data object comprising the session identifier, a streaming source address, a source identifier, and additional security parameters can be read from the resource location. A third data object comprising the session identifier, a session start command, and codec parameters can then be generated. The third data object can also be written to the resource location. Further, streamed media data conforming to the codec parameters and the security parameters may be received.

Abstract: A device implementing the subject technology may include at least one processor configured to receive a plurality of buffer reports from a plurality of other devices, each of the plurality of buffer reports indicating a current target buffer level for a respective one of the plurality of other devices. The at least one processor may be further configured to determine a group target buffer level based at least in part on the current target buffer levels of the plurality of other devices and a current target buffer level of the at least one buffer. The at least one processor may be further configured to transmit the group target buffer level to the plurality of other devices. The at least one processor may be further configured to manage an occupancy of the at least one buffer based at least in part on the group target buffer level.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to multiway communications. In some embodiments, a first electronic device initiates a multiway call between a plurality of electronic devices and exchanges a first secret with a first set of electronic devices participating during a first portion of the multiway call, the first secret being used to encrypt traffic between the first set of electronic devices. The first electronic device receives an indication that first set of participating electronic devices has changed and, in response to the indication, exchanges a second secret with a second set of electronic devices participating during a second portion of the multiway call, the second secret being used to encrypt traffic between the second set of participating electronic devices. In some embodiments, the indication identifies a second electronic device as leaving the multiway call, and the second secret is not exchanged with the second electronic device.

Abstract: A device implementing the subject technology may include at least one processor configured to transmit an allocation request requesting allocation of a group communication session with a plurality of devices and receive an allocation response in response to the allocation request, the allocation response including credential information for the device to use to join the group communication session. The at least one processor may be further configured to transmit an allocation bind request with the credential information to join the group communication session using the credential information and receive an allocation bind success response in response to the allocation bind request, the allocation bind success response indicating that the device has joined the group communication session. The at least one processor may be further configured to provide a join notification to the plurality of devices via an intermediary device to notify that the device has joined the group communication session.

Abstract: A device implementing the subject technology may include at least one processor configured to receive an indication of a task being performed at an other device. The at least one processor is further configured to perform, in response to receipt of the indication, one or more preliminary operations in anticipation of receiving a handoff of the task. The at least one processor is further configured to receive, after performing the one or more preliminary operations, a notification that the task is being handed off. The at least one processor is further configured to receive the handoff of the task from the other device. The at least one processor is further configured to continue to perform the task based at least in part on the one or more preliminary operations that were performed prior to receiving the notification that the task is being handed off.

Abstract: A device implementing a system for audio-video conferencing using multiple stream identifiers includes a processor configured to receive, from a sending device, indication of a first content stream and a first stream identifier, and indication of a second content stream and a second stream identifier associated. The first content stream and the second content stream correspond to different bit rates of streaming content. The processor is configured to receive, from a receiving device, a request to subscribe to the second content stream, the request including the second stream identifier, and receive, from the sending device, an indication that the second stream identifier has been associated with the first content stream. The processor is configured to forward, to the receiving device, the first content stream based on the request to subscribe to the second content stream and on the indication that the second stream identifier has been associated with the first content stream.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein permit a party to identify a first (low-resolution) image as it is displayed on their, for example, smart phone during a video conference call. Identifying information specific to the first image may be collected and a request for a high-resolution copy of the image sent to the party sourcing the transmitted image. The high-resolution image may be sent from the image's sourcing device to the requestor's device during, or after, the video conference call. In some embodiments, the high-resolution image may be sent through an alternate communication channel (e.g., via a chat, social media or email channel). In other embodiments, the high-resolution image may be sent to a network-based service from which the requestor may obtain the image. In one embodiment, the sourcing device may message the requesting device that the image has been sent to the network-based service.

Abstract: A first request to form a conference call is received from a first of a plurality of electronic devices. In response to the first request, a conference data structure is generated in a memory. Based on determining the conference call has ended, a second request is transmitted to each of the plurality of electronic devices to return a high-resolution video stream generated by each electronic device during the conference call. In response to the second requests, the high-resolution video stream is received from at least some of the plurality of electronic devices. Each of the received high-resolution video streams is stored in the conference data structure in the memory to generate a completed conference data structure. A notice that the completed conference data structure is available is transmitted to each of the plurality of electronic devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to manage communication sessions to handover between a direct connection at a secondary wireless device and a relayed connection to the secondary wireless device via a primary wireless device. A connection manager of a secondary wireless device can trigger transfer of a communication session based on measurements of performance metrics for the communication session. Upon detection of performance degradation in a local connection or a backhaul connection or both, the connection manager of the secondary wireless device can determine proximity of and/or capabilities for connections of the primary wireless device and instigate transfer of the communication session between different connection types, such as between a direct connection and a relayed connection. The transfer of the communication session can occur without user intervention or in response to input from the user without interrupting or reestablishing the communication session.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to inter radio access technology management for audiovisual calls. Wireless link availability and suitability for an audiovisual call may be evaluated for each of a first radio access technology and a second radio access technology. One or more wireless links on which to establish an audiovisual call may be selected based on the evaluations. The audiovisual call may be established on the selected wireless link(s). Wireless link availability and suitability for an audiovisual call may be monitored during the audiovisual call and decisions on whether to perform handover to a different wireless link and/or media duplication on multiple wireless links may be made based on the suitability for an audiovisual call of available wireless links.

Abstract: In an embodiment a method of online video communication is disclosed. An online video communication is established between a source device and a receiving device. The source device captures a live video recording of a sending user. The captured recording is analyzed to identify one or more characteristics of the sending user. The source device then generates avatar data corresponding to the identified characteristics. The avatar data is categorized into a plurality of groups, wherein a first group of the at least two groups comprises avatar data that is more unique to the sending user. Finally, at least the first group of the plurality of groups is transmitted to the receiving device. The transmitted first group of avatar data defines, at least in part, how to animate an avatar that mimics the sending user's one or more physical characteristics.

Abstract: An integrated accessory control system can efficiently set up a new media streaming session with one or more accessories. A session identifier for the new session, as well as a destination address and security parameters can be generated. A data object comprising the generated elements can be written to a resource location. Additionally, a second data object comprising the session identifier, a streaming source address, a source identifier, and additional security parameters can be read from the resource location. A third data object comprising the session identifier, a session start command, and codec parameters can then be generated. The third data object can also be written to the resource location. Further, streamed media data conforming to the codec parameters and the security parameters may be received.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to inter radio access technology management for audiovisual calls. Wireless link availability and suitability for an audiovisual call may be evaluated for each of a first radio access technology and a second radio access technology. One or more wireless links on which to establish an audiovisual call may be selected based on the evaluations. The audiovisual call may be established on the selected wireless link(s). Wireless link availability and suitability for an audiovisual call may be monitored during the audiovisual call and decisions on whether to perform handover to a different wireless link and/or media duplication on multiple wireless links may be made based on the suitability for an audiovisual call of available wireless links.

Abstract: A client device may be used to initiate or answer calls using a host device connected to a network. For example, when a phone operating as a host device receives an incoming call from a network, the phone may communicate the presence of the incoming call to one or more client devices such as laptop, desktop, tablet, or wearable devices that are associated with the host device. When an answer call selection is made at a client, a call answered communication may be sent from the client device to the host device. The host device may then communicate with the network to connect the call to the host, and when the call is connected, the host may hand-off the call to the client that sent the call answered communication.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to manage communication sessions to handover between a direct connection at a secondary wireless device and a relayed connection to the secondary wireless device via a primary wireless device. A connection manager of a secondary wireless device can trigger transfer of a communication session based on measurements of performance metrics for the communication session. Upon detection of performance degradation in a local connection or a backhaul connection or both, the connection manager of the secondary wireless device can determine proximity of and/or capabilities for connections of the primary wireless device and instigate transfer of the communication session between different connection types, such as between a direct connection and a relayed connection. The transfer of the communication session can occur without user intervention or in response to input from the user without interrupting or reestablishing the communication session.